Paralympic bocce is one of the fastest growing sports disciplines in Brazil, which is why curiosity is also growing about the careers of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today.
With this in mind, we’ve created this article, which tells you about the careers and titles of eight athletes who stand out on the national and international stage.
After all, we’re talking about a sport that requires precision, strategy and control, which has been the scene of great achievements for Brazilian athletes, who with a lot of dedication and perseverance, take the country’s name to the top.
So read on and find out who are Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic boccia today, their stories, achievements and the impact each of them has on the sport.
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Titles and history of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today
Maciel de Sousa Santos
- Class: Individual BC2
In the last three editions of the Paralympics (2012, 2016 and 2020), Maciel has won medals, so there is a high expectation that he will repeat the podium in Paris 2024.
The athlete is ranked first in the world in his category and is the current bocce World Cup champion.
The athlete began practicing the sport as a child, at the age of 11, and only three years later, at the age of 14, he joined the Brazilian national team and began competing internationally.
Main achievements
- Gold in individual BC2 and team BC1/BC2 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Individual gold at the Bocce World Cup in Rio de Janeiro 2022
- Team gold at the 2021 America’s Cup
- Individual bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Individual gold and team silver at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Silver in pairs at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
- Individual and team gold at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games
- Individual gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
Read also: Paralympic bocce rules: 12rules you need to know to play or cheer
José Carlos Chagas de Oliveira
- Class: Individual BC1
Not every paratriathlete starts practicing sport as a child. José Carlos, for example, started his bocce career when he was just 26. However, that hasn’t stopped him from being one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today.
Diagnosed with cerebral palsy, José Carlos Chagas is already an Olympic medalist, and he arrives in Paris aiming to add to his collection of awards and raise our country’s name even higher internationally.
His main achievements
- Bronze in the individual at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Bronze in the individual at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games
- Silver in individual and team at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Gold in individual and team at the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games
Evelyn Vieira De Oliveira
- Class: Individual BC3
Another Olympic medalist on our list of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today, who is hoping for another podium finish at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Evelyn is currently in fifth place in the world ranking for adapted bocce in her category and could shine in the City of Light.
Main achievements
- Gold in the individual BC3 and bronze in the BC3 pairs at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Silver in the mixed pairs at the 2021 America’s Cup
- Gold in singles and pairs at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Gold in pairs at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games
- Gold in the pairs at the 2015 America’s Cup in Montreal (CAN).
Andreza Vitoria Ferreira De Oliveira
- Class: BC1
Andreza has Leigh’s Syndrome (or Leigh’s Disease), a neurodegenerative disease that affects the central nervous system and has significantly reduced her motor capacity, to the point of needing to use her ability to walk.
The athlete started boccia in 2015 and, in 2016, came second in the School Paralympics. The following year, she was crowned champion, just two years into the sport.
Today, she’s one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce, part of the Brazilian national bocce team and representing the country at Paris 2024.
Main achievements
- Gold in individual BC1 and team BC1/BC2 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Gold at the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro 2022
- Team bronze at the 2019 World Open in Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal.
Evani Soares Da Silva Calado
- Class: BC3
Following the list of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today, Evani Soares da Silva is an Olympic champion, winning gold with her team in 2016.
At the 2024 Paralympics, she will once again represent Brazil in the quest for further success.
The athlete is another example of someone who met boccia after her teens, when she was just 20 years old. The “marriage” took place during her first semester at university, as part of a university project.
Main achievements
- Team gold in the BC3 class at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Iuri Tauan Saraiva Da Silva
- Class: BC2
With cerebral palsy, Iuri started in paralympic bocce at the invitation of a teacher who saw potential in the athlete, who was swimming at the time.
Revealed at the CPB School Paralympics, he is now one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce and will be in Paris in search of a podium position and a medal.
Main achievements
- Team gold BC1/ BC2 at the Parapan American Games in Santiago 2023
- Team bronze at the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro 2022
- Team gold and individual bronze at the 2021 Copa America
- Silver at the 2022 World Cup in Portugal
- Bronze at the Rome Challenger 2022.
Laissa Polyanna Guerreira
- Class: BC4
Laíssa Polyanna is a Brazilian paralympic bocce athlete who stands out for her determination and overcoming. Born with cerebral palsy, Laíssa found in sport a way to express herself and challenge her own limits. Throughout her career, she has become a reference in the sport, taking part in various national and international competitions.
Known for her willpower and competitive spirit, Laíssa inspires many with her life story, showing that barriers can be overcome with dedication and passion for sport.
She is one of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic boccia today, and continues to train and compete, representing Brazil and showing that true power comes from within.
Main achievements
- Parapan American Champion 2023
- World Youth Champion 2023
Mateus Rodrigues Carvalho
- Class: BC3
To close our list of Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today, Mateus Rodrigues Carvalho. The athlete discovered paralympic boccia in 2010 and gave up paralympic swimming to dedicate himself to the “new” sport.
With congenital multiple arthrogryposis, his first sport was swimming.
Main achievements
- Gold in the individual BC3 and bronze in the BC3 pairs at the Santiago 2023 Parapan American Games
- Silver in the mixed pairs at the 2021 America’s Cup
- Gold in pairs and bronze in singles at the Lima 2019 Parapan American Games
- Gold in the Pairs and Teams America’s Cup in 2015 in Canada
- Gold in pairs and silver in singles at the BISFed 2018 São Paulo Regional Open
- Bronze at the BISFed 2019 Montreal World Open.
Read also: Top Brazilians at the Paralympics: meet the top 20 athletes
Brazil’s TOP 8 biggest names in Paralympic bocce today
Brazil’s biggest names in paralympic bocce today are:
- Maciel de Sousa Santos
- José Carlos Chagas de Oliveira
- Evelyn Vieira De Oliveira
- Andreza Vitoria Ferreira De Oliveira
- Evani Soares Da Silva Calado
- Iuri Tauan Saraiva Da Silva
- Laissa Polyanna Guerreira
- Mateus Rodrigues Carvalho
It’s time to direct our energies towards cheering each of them on and seeing them represent Brazil in yet another great competition.
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